SOFTWARE
ENGINEERING
EXAM
1
software
-
ANS
Affects
nearly
every
aspect
of
our
lives
and
has
become
pervasive
in
our
commerce,
our
culture,
and
our
everyday
activities.
As
a
product,
it
delivers
the
computing
potential
embodied
by
computer
hardware
or
by
a
network
of
computers
that
are
accessible
by
local
hardware.
It
is
an
information
transformer—producing,
managing,
acquiring,
modifying,
displaying,
or
transmitting
information.
As
the
vehicle
used
to
deliver
the
product,
it
acts
as
the
basis
for
the
control
of
the
computer
(operating
systems),
the
communication
of
information
(networks),
and
the
creation
and
control
of
other
programs
(software
tools
and
environments).
definition
of
software
-
ANS
Instructions
(computer
programs)
that
when
executed
provide
desired
features,
function,
and
performance.
Data
structures
that
enable
the
programs
to
adequately
manipulate
information.
Descriptive
information
in
both
hard
copy
and
virtual
forms
that
describes
the
operation
and
use
of
the
programs
software
vs
hardware
-
ANS
Software
has
one
fundamental
characteristic
that
makes
it
considerably
different
from
hardware:
software
doesn't
"wear
out."
When
a
hardware
component
wears
out,
it
is
replaced
by
a
spare
part.
There
are
no
software
spare
parts.
Every
software
failure
indicates
an
error
in
design
or
in
the
process
through
which
design
was
translated
into
machine
executable
code. Therefore,
the
software
maintenance
tasks
that
accommodate
requests
for
change
involve
considerably
more
complexity
than
hardware
maintenance.
hardware
curve
-
ANS
The
"bathtub
curve"
indicates
that
hardware
exhibits
relatively
high
failure
rates
early
in
its
life
(these
failures
are
often
attributable
to
design
or
manufacturing
defects);
defects
are
corrected
and
the
failure
rate
drops
to
a
steady-state
level
for
some
period
of
time.
As
time
passes,
however ,
the
failure
rate
rises
again
as
hardware
components
suffer
from
the
cumulative
effects
of
dust,
vibration,
abuse,
temperature
extremes,
and
many
other
environmental
maladies.
software
curve
-
ANS
Software
is
not
susceptible
to
environmental
maladies.
In
theory ,
therefore,
the
failure
rate
curve
for
software
should
take
the
form
of
the
"idealized
curve."
Undiscovered
defects
will
cause
high
failure
rates
early
in
the
life
of
a
program.
However ,
these
are
corrected
and
the
curve
flattens.
Software
doesn't
wear
out,
but
it
does
deteriorate!
As
changes
are
made,
it
is
likely
that
errors
will
be
introduced,
causing
the
failure
rate
curve
to
spike.
Before
the
curve
can
return
to
the
original
steady-state
failure
rate,
another
change
is
requested,
causing
the
curve
to
spike
again.
Slowly ,
the
minimum
failure
rate
level
begins
to
rise—the
software
deteriorates
due
to
change.
legacy
software
-
ANS
Hundreds
of
thousands
of
computer
programs
fall
into
one
of
the
seven
broad
application
domains.
Some
of
these
are
state-of-the-art
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller FLYINGHIGHER. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.